The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon

Someday, I will actually review the original book that started this obsession with kilts, Gaelic, Scottish people, and Celtic mystique. I promise. For now, this is the fifth book in the series. Actually, I've linked the author's blog to mine. Voyage of the Artemis is Diana Gabaldon's blog. She's funny, insightful, and a pretty darn good cook to judge from her most recent recipe post. Check out the enchiladas.

This is quite possibly my favorite book of the Outlander series so far. The start of the book finds everyone at a Gathering. If you've been camping, picture something like that only you'll know everyone at the campground. It's a special time where everyone comes together, families share with relatives they haven't seen in years, old friendships renewed, new friendships forged, a celebration of the best part of life ... people. It involves a call to the clans, bonfires, and lots of other fun stuff.

Brianna and Roger are more involved in this story than in some of the others along with their son, Jeremiah. There are injuries, kidnappings, hangings, elopements, and a variety of other things to liven up life on the Ridge. I don't want to give too much away but this is my favorite of the series. So far ...

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - JK Rowling

OK. So I've been a little derelict in my duty lately with regard to the blog. But I've had a little medical thing which is hopefully sorting itself out. I haven't read much lately but I am getting back into it slowly but surely. Let's start with this.

The second HP is my least favorite of the lot. Why? Because one of them has to be. In this one, we find Harry barely being spoken to by the Dursleys since they're afraid he's going to blow them up or something else just as sinister with magic. So while he's not being treated as badly as before, he's being ignored and neglected by them ... and his friends. Or so he thinks. He hasn't gotten a single letter from Ron, Hermione, or Hagrid and he thinks they've forgotten about him.

A visit from a strange being called a house elf changed that. What's a house elf? It's a magical being that works for a family throughout its life until it either dies or the family sets it free. The magic binding the elf to the family breaks when a member gifts the elf with clothes. Dobby (the elf in question) breaks his family's rules and goes to warn Harry about danger that's to come to Hogwarts this school year. He stopped letters to Harry, tried to get him expelled from school, stopped the gate from letting him through, and sent a Bludger after him to "protect" him. Dobby sees him as something of a savior.

Harry does wind up back at Hogwarts, efforts of the Whomping Willow notwithstanding. And the year starts out as normal, with classes, Quidditch practice, Malfoy & Snape being a jerk. Then ...

Mrs. Norris (the caretaker's cat) is petrified shortly after Harry hears a voice. Odd as there was no way she could have come into contact with anything that might have caused it. But that, along with an incident at the Dueling Club, and several other attacks, leave many people wondering if Harry is the Heir of Slytherin. He is persecuted and tormented mostly for being different but Ron and Hermione stick by him as usual.

A lot more happens in this book. We see the seeds of the relationship between Ron and Hermione being sown. Ginny actually talks to Harry. The Weasley twins are ... well, they're the twins. Wood is still maniacal about Quidditch. All's well that ends well ... or is it?

If you get a chance, please listen to the audiobook by Jim Dale. He's fabulous.